Sentinel File photo by MIKE GOSS
Juniata’s Hannah Grayball and Sarah Fisher tip the ball over the net against rival East Juniata this past season. The Tigers’ Shana Burd (41) is also pictured.

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata Indians will turn to its past to secure its future, with an exhibition volleyball game between the school’s alumni and varsity team.

The fundraiser between the two sets of spikers will take place at Juniata Elementary School on Wednesday, July 23, as the doors open at 6 p.m. Player introductions will be held at 6:50 p.m., with the game to follow.

A basket raffle will be held, along with a 50/50 drawing.

“This is our first time doing this,” Juniata head coach Layne Greenholt said. “Originally, I had intended for it to just be a fun addition to open gyms and a way to inject some competition into our schedule leading up to the season. But, when I started talking to different people about it, the excitement grew and it turned into a pretty big deal for us. So, we decided to turn it into a fundraiser and see how it goes. My hope is, it will turn into an annual event.”

The Indians are coming off a 13-10 season, including a 5-5 mark in the Tri-Valley League. That put them fourth in the TVL standings, behind league champion Millersburg as well as Upper Dauphin and Halifax.

Juniata was swept by Bellwood-Antis in the first round of the District 6 Class 2A Tournament, 3-0.

The Indians return senior Hannah Graybill, who ranked second among kill leaders in the TVL with 98, and senior Mariska Whitesel, who was seventh with 62 kills. Graybill also racked up 15 blocks, which was good for seventh place in the TVL.

Senior Miley Hack also is back after finishing fifth in the TVL with 113 digs and ninth with 14 assists.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and kids.